Best .357's for a 686

[DeadWhiteGoose]

I recently picked up my 686 plus pro series and have only fired the cheap Remington UMC 125grain .357's to break it in. Since you all know how expensive .357s are I was hoping you could help me narrow down my search for the best ammo for my gun. If you have a 686 and have a favorite .357 ammo that is consistently accurate and performs well then please let me know what it is so I can pick up a box and try it out. I haven't gotten into reloading yet so for now factory will have to do. Thanks for all your advice.

 

[moxie]

Rem. Golden Saber 125 BJHP.

 

[Will Carry]

I like Black Hills 125gr JHPs for self defense. I cannot attest to the accuracy since I'm not a good shot but it has the stopping power.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Personal defense in an apartment, rural lodge home, hunting, target, general plinking, large four legged animal defense, varmints... As in best for what??? How long is the barrel? Does it have the cut rifling or the newer EDM rifling?

This is part of the joy of the .357 magnum guns and why they remain so overly popular. They can do near anything.

 

[DeadWhiteGoose]

Well it's a 5 in barrel and im looking for stopping power and accuracy.

 

[BUFF]

If it is for defense against people, I would use Federal's .357 Magnum loading of the 125 grain JHP. As good a manstopper as you will get in a handgun.

For general other stuff, I like Federal's 158 grain JHP Magnum loading. Probably penetrates a bit more, a bit less blast, flash and rackett.

Also, there is no real reason to restrict your shooting to just the Magnum cartridges. .38 Specials are less expensive and are fine for target practice, small game and general plinking.

 

[one eye joe]

If it is for defense against people, I would use Federal's .357 Magnum loading of the 125 grain JHP. As good a manstopper as you will get in a handgun.

For general other stuff, I like Federal's 158 grain JHP Magnum loading. Probably penetrates a bit more, a bit less blast, flash and rackett.

Also, there is no real reason to restrict your shooting to just the Magnum cartridges. .38 Specials are less expensive and are fine for target practice, small game and general plinking.

I AGREE BUFF.........

 

[scooter123]

Personally, I find the 357 Magnum to border on punishing and too many in one session leads to me growing a flinch. However, when in the mood to get a bit "loud" I've found the American Eagle 158 gn. SJSP to be moderately inexpensive at 29 dollars a box of 50. I also happened on 2 boxes of the exact same loading under the Federal Champion label at Walmart for 22 dollars a box, for a 357 Magnum that's really cheap. Bad news is that in 3 years those are the only 2 boxes of the Federal Champion 357 Magnums I've ever seen. As for how it shoots, recoil is stout and it's very accurate for me until I start flinching.

 

[cometpx4]

Best .357 Rounds

For hiking I carry 145gr Winchester Silvertips. For defense, 110 Grain WWB jacketed hollow points. Alot of flash and bang, but minimal recoil for a .357 round. You will hear folks say that 110 grains is too light but if one of these out of the 3inch barrel of my model 60 doesn't work i am in big trouble.

BTW, I shoot sellier and Bellot or Blazer 158 Gran jacketed hollow points for target practice.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Winchester 145gr. Silvertips, as that's the old Georgia State Patrol load, which is mid way in between the light and heavy stuff. I know of two fellers that have killed bear with it, and it has a decent track record for self defense as that agency used it for several years to "good effect."

 

[Mule88]

I like the Speer 158 Gold Dots, also the Blazer Brass 158 gn HP is great ammo and not that expensive, works great in my guns.